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'The BJP has nothing to say for the future'NOT CASTE, not religion, but the promise of good governance is what will tell in Gujarat -- according to Kamal Nath. The Congress Working Committee member is the general secretary in charge of Gujarat, the strategist behind the party's campaign there. The December 12 poll, he believes, will be a trendsetter, and sketch the future of Indian politics. A former Union minister, Kamal Nath says the Congress is the only party that can give Gujaratis what they yearn for: peace and progress. On the Rediff Chat on December 11, 2000 hours IST (0930 EST), he took questions on what he believes is one of the most important polls in recent times.
Ravan : Nathji, how crucial is this election to you? Do you see it as a precursor of things to come? Ravan : So how do you rate your chances? Yesterday Achyut Yagnik said it is neck and neck. Kamal Nath : I am confident of winning because the people of Gujarat want peace, progress and development. The BJP cannot account for its last five years of governance and has nothing to say for the future. The Congress represents 'sukh', 'shanti', 'samruddhi' and 'salamati'. Ahmed : Hi Kamal, Why you chose ITALIAN lady as your leader, I see the dearth of leader in congress but this really need import from other country. Kamal Nath : Mrs Sonia Gandhi is as much Indian as you and me. When I say this, I say this as a reflection of the sentiments of most Indians. Because she is Italian-born does not make her a foreigner -- her heart, mind and soul and that is what matters. nani : Mr Nath, why is your party trying to be a softer version of the BJP? Why do you give the impression that you are unsure of your own secular platform? Kamal Nath : The is no question of the Congress diluting its secular position. The Congress's politics is not based on a religious card or a caste card. I do not know why you feel that the Congress is soft in these elections on secularism. challakrishna : sir, ur neighbouring country is openly giving support to muslim youth in india for terrorism, and u r criticising bjp govt for everything and since 50 years u have not done anything for country. Kamal Nath : It is the BJP government in whose tenure terrorism has been highest. It was Mr Jaswant Singh as foreign minister of this country who carried terrorists to Kandahar for release. It is the BJP government that tripped in the prime minister's visit to Lahore and Musharraf's visit to India. It is the BJP government that was the first government in the world to recognise General Musharraf as President Musharraf. What India is today is because of the Congress government and every section of society and every sector of the economy has suffered during the BJP's rule during the last few years. dirghayu : hi kamalji! u have chosen a leader who has the history of switching loyalties in gujarat. do u think people will vote for him? Kamal Nath : Mr Vaghela having recognised the BJP fully joined the Congress party and this is his own conviction. The people of Gujarat will choose a party and a person who can deliver, rather than a party and a person who do not talk of their performance and do not talk of their future, but instead choose to bluff the people with issues of terrorism which they themselves have created. siva_diabolo : Why is Congress appeasing Minorities?? Doesn't everyone have equal rights?? Kamal Nath : The Congress stands for equality to all. There are approximately 15% minorities in India. In our IITs, IIMs, universities, IPS, IAS, IFS, and even in business, are they even near the percentage of their population? The Congress stands for the ethos of India, which is harmony of society. JustAnotherGujju : Sir, you take the BJP to task for the release of hostages. Wasn't the Congress in power in 1989 when Dr Rubaiya Sayeed -- daughter of your then home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed -- was kidnapped? Care to tell us how your government acted then? Kamal Nath : You have got it wrong, it was the government led by V P Singh which was supported by the BJP in power. liramu : Kamalji! Late Mahatma Gandhiji opted for dissolution of the Congress after Independence as it had achieved its goal. Can you please explain why his option has been kept aside by your party?? Kamal Nath : The Congress was the only party at that time which could steer the country -- there were no BJPs and JDs. gkumar : I need to sign off... Good luck... Congress must win in Gujarat... and it will... Congratulations in advance to the mastermind... Good luck... Bye! Kamal Nath : We will win and thanks for your good wishes. sudheendhra : the congress is today headed by a former swayamsevak in Gujarat. Does it not show a lack of leadership in Gujarat and the Congress too seems to be playing the Hindutva card, softly though. Kamal Nath : The Congress is headed by a person who has known the RSS and denounced it. The Congress has several leaders in Gujarat and there is no question of playing any card. The Congress does not play the religious or caste card -- its only card is the card of good governance. stranger : pls take greater interest in IMT. improve the faculty if U can. Kamal Nath : Your suggestion is well taken. There is a new director and I'm told that there are new members in the faculty. viral : u r hinduvirodhi? Kamal Nath : I am a better Hindu than you and your mindset does not bring glory to Hinduism. Friends, since I'm getting late, I shall take two more questions. ashishjain : Congress thinks they are doing good in MP? But ground reality is totally different. people are fighting for electricity, water and roads. What do you think as an MP from madhya pradesh? Kamal Nath : The Congress has done well in MP in certain areas. Yes, there is a problem in electricity, because after the formation of Chhattisgarh, most of the generation went there. Because of the size of MP, the outlay on roads is huge compared to a state like Haryana or Punjab. Kamal Nath : I have to go now because Gujarat elections are tomorrow and the BJP is getting desperate by creating disturbances to thwart a free and fair poll. Will get to you all again some time.
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